News
Little Haven has UK’s first smoke-free beach

Little Haven
SMOKING and vaping are to be banned on one of the most popular and beautiful seaside destinations in Pembrokeshire, in an attempt by Pembrokeshire County Council to improve the wellbeing of children and young people.
The smoke-free scheme, which will be enforced on Little Haven beach, has been put in place following the council stating that they believe that children often start smoking due to seeing adults and other respectable figures smoking or vaping in family-friendly public places where they often frequent.
This beach smoking ban will be the first of its kind in Wales, and possibly on a larger scale in the whole of the UK, following Brighton considering a possible smoking ban but deciding against it.
Public area smoking bans in the past have been criticised by some who argue that enforcing such a law is an infringement on personal rights and freedom.
County Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, is launching the scheme.
He said: “We take public health very seriously. We want to do as much as we can to protect our children from smoking and to promote a healthy environment for all.
“Two-thirds of smokers start before the age of 18. We need to prevent children and young adults taking up the habit.
“We know children are at particular risk from second-hand smoke and that they are more likely to start smoking themselves if they see adults doing it in a family-friendly environment.
“It is vital to de-normalise smoking to reduce the rates of young people taking it up and also to reduce their expose to smoke and e-cigarette vapour in areas where they gather.”
Although during this ban no official penalty will be specified or enforced by law for smoking cigarettes, pipes, cigars or e-cigarettes on Little Haven beach, non-smoking signs will be in place around the area in a bid to deter anyone from sparking up.
The beach-going public will also be encouraged to self-police the new ban, persuading smokers to refrain from doing so on the beach where children are present.
Cllr George continued: “Anyone breaching the ban may be approached and politely requested not to smoke. It is similar to the ban on smoking in play areas across Wales.”
Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Anything which discourages smoking is a positive step forward.”
The smoking ban on Little Haven beach will be initially trialled for a year before being decided whether or not to keep the ban permanently.
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Crime
Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation
DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.
Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.
Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.
Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.
Charity
Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes
THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.
Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.
During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.
Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.
Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.
In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.
Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.
Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.
The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.
In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.
Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.
“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.
Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.
Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.
For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.
Community
Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker
Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance
FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.
Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.






On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.
Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)









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tomos
March 10, 2016 at 9:55 am
What is the point of this? It has no legal footing
ieuan
March 10, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Huw George in the papers again? does he do any actual work to justify his pay?
Oh hang on he’s gone one better, he’s now publicised this ridiculous thing on National Telly!
Get a life Huw!!
Fletch Harris
May 21, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Brilliant!
carson knapp
October 8, 2025 at 9:31 pm
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